Let's talk about spices!

When cooking food, not all flavors compliment each other. Garlic and cinnamon, for instance. Some say cooking is an art form. For me, cooking was like getting a love letter.

As a kid, I had some health problems, some which had to do with food. Let me explain. Food was scary for little Melissa. Delicious flavors offered joy and happiness, but then turned into betrayal, cruel and relentless. At one point I was afraid to eat at all. When I ate I felt like I was choking. Reflux disease, esphogeal ulcers, and food allergies were the culprits. But how was I to know? I was a kid. Unaware and undiagnosed.

Thankfully, before my 12th birthday I had crucial surgery; a complete answer to prayer, to many prayers. I was 12 years old when I learned about what was safe to eat and what was dangerous to consume. But that's when food became a love language.

I was less than 90 lbs, age 12. My mom took me to the grocery store. It was exciting every time I found a food I could eat. Back then there weren't so many options. Now its easy to find vegan, gluten free, soy free, etc. But in 2020, such options were much more scarce. So my mom suggested I learn to cook.

Now trying something new is usually anything but easy. But like I said, finding foods and making dishes I could eat without fear became a love letter from Jesus to me. The words of 2 Corinthians 12 ring in my ear. Paul had a problem. He prayed. But God didnt take it away. Instead, He said, "My grace is sufficient."

So, if you are facing something...if you feel like you've been praying forever, dont give up. Keep the faith. And for those who feel stuck in something challenging, I give you what I was given: "The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?...Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD." Psalm 27:1, 14 KJV 

Because, God's grace is enough!

One of the hardest storms I've been through as a parent is discovering my kid has a super power. Not only does Jammers have a super power, but he also speaks two languages. Let me explain.

My kid was walking on his toes, doing army crawls, and turning circles. Let kids be kids, I thought. But then I was approached with "I think your kid has Autism." Now try to understand, I was caught off guard and in translation my brain produced this sentence in an effort to understand the previous one: "You are a bad mom. Your child is broken." 

Have a little grace, please. I didn't know anything about Autism. I didn't know about the colorful side of it. I just knew I was in a storm that I didn't know how to navigate. 

Turned out (after waiting almost a year for answers) that my kid who mimics and cries, who flaps his hands, and lines up toys again and again, did in fact have Autism. And I prayed and prayed for help with navigating this storm.

Someone said, "I'll pray that it goes away." Smack! The words hit my mommy heart so bad. No! I don't want it to go away. There's nothing wrong with my kid. 

I spent so many hours and time with my son. I learned his own unique language. God was showing me that Autism isn't a disability. It's a superpower. Then a miracle happened, my kid learned to talk (English). Now he loves to talk non stop. And his mind grew. At only 4 years old, my kid knew Astronomy by heart. And how he shares it is his second language. 

As he grew, he expanded to other topics. And if I wanted to have a relationship with my kid, I had to expand too. So, I learned as much as I could: Astronomy, Biology, Mathematics, Art, Geography, Geology, etc. My kid who couldn't talk, except mimic now revealed that he had what his dad calls "a computerized brain." 

But Jammers (my nickname for him) has more than that. He is kind, silly, funny, and friendly. His love for Life and people is beautiful. God made him that way. And I wouldn't change him for the world. 

Maybe you can relate? Maybe you know someone who is being told they are broken because they are different? Have you ever thought that maybe they really have a superpower? 

"I will praise thee [O' God]; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are they works; and that my soul knoweth right well."

Psalm 139:14 KJV Bible